Criminals Outpace Police, Nigeria’s Security System Must Evolve - MBA

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A retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Frank Mba, has warned that the growing sophistication, technological capability and borderless nature of criminal activities require Nigeria to urgently upgrade its policing architecture.

Mba, a legal practitioner, security consultant and reputation management expert, said criminals were increasingly exploiting technology, globalisation and sophisticated financial systems to commit crimes, making traditional policing methods inadequate to confront emerging threats.

He spoke on Nigeria’s security situation as the country marked its 66th Independence Anniversary.

According to the former police chief, criminal activities in Nigeria were previously dominated by conventional offences such as robbery, burglary and assault, which were largely physical and localised.

He, however, said criminality had evolved significantly in its pattern, approach, spread, methodology, intensity, lethality and sophistication.

Mba attributed the transformation partly to changes in society, globalisation and rapid technological advancement, which he said had created new opportunities for criminals.

He identified kidnapping, terrorism, cultism, organised crime and cyber-enabled offences among the emerging and expanding threats confronting the country.

“Crime has become more organised, globalised, more technology-driven, financially sophisticated and, in many cases, virtual, contactless and borderless,” he said.

Mba consequently stressed that modern policing could no longer rely solely on physical operations and conventional investigative methods.

He called for greater deployment of technology, intelligence, digital forensics, cyber tools and advanced financial investigation capabilities, alongside stronger citizens’ trust and international cooperation.

The retired DIG acknowledged measures already taken by the Nigeria Police Force to respond to the changing security environment, citing the activities of the National Cybercrime Centre in tackling cyber-enabled offences.

He also noted increased collaboration between the police and international organisations, including INTERPOL and AFRIPOL, particularly in intelligence sharing and specialised training on terrorism, money laundering, human and narcotic trafficking and other transborder crimes.

Mba said police training programmes were also being adjusted to reflect emerging security realities, with greater emphasis on cybercrime investigation, digital forensics, financial crime, intelligence and counter-terrorism.

He, however, questioned whether the pace of police reform was fast enough to match the speed at which criminals were adapting.

“The criminals are not waiting for the police,” Mba said, warning that the speed, spread, lethality, cyber capabilities and sophistication of criminal activities continued to pose serious challenges to the Force.

He identified inadequate training and shortages of modern digital forensic equipment as major operational gaps requiring urgent attention.

Mba called for sustained investment in the Nigeria Police Force, particularly in personnel, specialised training, technology, intelligence capabilities and international partnerships.

He said the police must deliberately evolve alongside changing technology and crime trends, with the goal of staying ahead of criminals rather than merely responding to emerging threats.

The security consultant also stressed the need for the police to rebuild public confidence, describing citizens’ trust as a critical component of effective policing.

He urged the leadership of the Force to adopt a futuristic approach by preparing officers not only to confront crimes currently facing the country but also to anticipate emerging threats.

“Ultimately, the NPF leadership should remain futuristic. Our police officers should be prepared, not just for the crimes they are fighting today, but for the crimes that will emerge tomorrow,” he said.

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